Rotatable slide hinge

ABSTRACT

A rotatable slide hinge has a stationary leaf, a moving leaf, a spring, a pivot pin assembly and a guide pin assembly. The stationary leaf has a top and a bottom. The moving leaf is mounted on the bottom of the stationary leaf, sliding and turning relative to the stationary leaf and has a top surface. The spring is attached to the top of the stationary leaf and has a stationary end and a moving end. The pivot pin assembly connects the stationary leaf and the moving leaf and allows the moving leaf to slide relative to the stationary leaf. The guide pin assembly extends through the moving end of the spring, the stationary leaf and the moving leaf to connect the stationary leaf, the spring and the moving leaf and allows the moving leaf to slide and turn relative to the stationary leaf.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a slide hinge, and more particularly to a rotatable slide hinge that allows a moving leaf to slide and turn relative to a stationary leaf.

2. Description of Related Art

The advancement of science and technology has resulted in electronic devices such as cellular phones, Personal Digital Assistant and the like. Electronic devices comprise a base, a cover and a conventional hinge or slide hinge. The cover is mounted above the base to make the electronic device smaller. The conventional hinge connects the cover to the base along an axis and allows the cover to pivot relative to the base. The conventional slide hinge connects the cover to the base to allow the cover to slide relative to the base. However, some designs require the cover to turn and slide relative to the base, and neither the conventional hinge nor the conventional slide hinge can perform both of these actions.

To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention provides a rotatable slide hinge to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The main objective of the invention is to provide a rotatable slide hinge that allows a moving leaf to slide and turn relative to a stationary leaf.

A rotatable slide hinge in accordance with the present invention comprises a stationary leaf, a moving leaf, a spring, a pivot pin assembly and a guide pin assembly. The stationary leaf has a top and a bottom. The moving leaf is mounted on the bottom of the stationary leaf, sliding and turning relative to the stationary leaf and has a top surface. The spring is attached to the top of the stationary leaf and has a stationary end and a moving end. The pivot pin assembly connects the stationary leaf and the moving leaf and allows the moving leaf to slide relative to the stationary leaf. The guide pin assembly extends through the moving end of the spring, the stationary leaf and the moving leaf to connect the stationary leaf, the spring and the moving leaf and allows the moving leaf to slide and turn relative to the stationary leaf.

Other objectives, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a rotatable slide hinge in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the rotatable slide hinge in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a rotatable slide hinge in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the rotatable slide hinge in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the spring being formed flat;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the rotatable slide hinge in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an operational top view of the rotatable slide hinge in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 8 is another operational top view of the rotatable slide hinge in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, a rotatable slide hinge in accordance with the present invention comprises a stationary leaf (10), a moving leaf (20), a spring (30, 30′), a pivot pin assembly (40), a guide pin assembly (50) and an optional directing assembly (60, 60′).

With further reference to FIGS. 2 and 4, the stationary leaf (10) has a top, a bottom, an optional arced edge (101), an optional slot (11), an optional guide channel (12) and an optional stationary spring hole (13). The slot (11) is formed through the stationary leaf (10), has a default limit and a pivotal limit and may comprise a lip (111). The lip (111) is formed around and protrudes into the slot (11).

The guide channel (12) is formed through the stationary leaf (10), has an arced end (121), a default limit and a pivotal limit and may comprise a lip (122). The arced end (121) corresponds to the arced edge (101). The pivotal limit is formed at the arced end (121) of the guide channel (12). The lip (122) is formed around and protrudes into the guide channel (12).

The stationary spring hole (13) is formed in the stationary leaf (10).

The moving leaf (20) has a top surface and may comprise an optional guide edge, a pivot pin hole (21), a guide pin hole (22) and a directing pin hole (23) and is mounted on the bottom of the stationary leaf (10), slides and turns relative to the stationary leaf (10).

The guide edge corresponds to the arced edge (101) of the stationary leaf (10).

The pivot pin hole (21) is formed in the top surface of the moving leaf (20) and corresponds to the slot (11) of the stationary leaf (10).

The guide pin hole (22) is formed in the top surface of the moving leaf (20) and corresponds to the guide channel (12) of the stationary leaf (10).

With further reference to FIG. 5, the spring (30, 30′) is attached to the top of the stationary leaf (10), has a stationary end (31) corresponding to the stationary spring hole (13), a moving end (32) corresponding to the guide channel (12) of the stationary leaf (10) and an optional fastener (33) and may be flat.

The spring (30, 30′) may be attached to the stationary leaf (10) using rivets, welds, a fastener (33) or other conventional fastening methods.

The fastener (33) extends through the stationary end (31) of the spring (30, 30′) and is mounted securely in the stationary spring hole (13).

The pivot pin assembly (40) connects the stationary leaf (10) and the moving leaf (20) through the slot (11) of the stationary leaf (10) to the moving leaf (20) to allow the moving leaf (20) to slide relative to the stationary leaf (10). The pivot pin assembly (40) may further comprise a pivot pin (41) and a pivot pin washer (42).

The pivot pin (41) extends through the slot (11) of the stationary leaf (10) and is mounted securely in the pivot pin hole (21) of the moving leaf (20).

The pivot pin washer (42) is mounted around the pivot pin (41) between the lip (111) of the slot (11) of the stationary leaf (10) and the moving leaf (20).

Accordingly, the pivot pin (41) and the pivot pin washer (42) clamp the lip (111) of the slot (11) of the stationary leaf (10) to allow the pivot pin assembly (40) to move stably in the slot (11) of the stationary leaf (10).

The guide pin assembly (50) extends through the moving end (32) of the spring (30, 30′) and the guide channel (12) of the stationary leaf (10) and is mounted on the moving leaf (20) to connect the stationary leaf (10), the spring (30, 30′) and the moving leaf (20) and allows the moving leaf (20) to slide and turn relative to the stationary leaf (10). The guide pin assembly (50) may further comprise a guide pin (51), a guide pin washer (53) and a guide pin disc (52).

The guide pin (51) extends through the moving end (32) of the spring (30, 30′) and the guide channel (12) of the stationary leaf (10) and is mounted securely in the guide pin hole (22) of the moving leaf (20).

The guide pin washer (53) is mounted around the guide pin (51), is between the stationary and moving leaves (10, 20) and corresponds to the guide channel (12) of the stationary leaf (10).

The guide pin disc (52) is mounted between the moving end (32) of the spring (30, 30′) and the lip (122) of the guide channel (12) of the stationary leaf (10) and corresponds to the guide channel (12) of the stationary leaf (10).

Accordingly, the guide pin disc (52) and the guide pin washer (53) clamp the lip (122) of the guide channel (12) of the stationary leaf (10) to allow the guide pin assembly (50) to move stably in the guide channel (12).

The directing assembly (60, 60′) corresponds to the arced edge (101) of the stationary leaf (10) and is mounted on the moving leaf (20) to guide the moving leaf (20) slidably along the arced edge (101).

A first embodiment of the directing assembly (60) comprises a directing washer (62) and a directing pin (61).

The directing washer (62) is mounted between the arced edge (101) and the moving leaf (20). The directing pin (61) abuts the arced edge (101) of the stationary leaf (10), extends through the directing washer (62) and is mounted securely in the directing pin hole (23) of the moving leaf (20).

Accordingly, the directing washer (62) and the directing pin (61) clamp the arced edge (101) of the stationary leaf (10) to allow the moving leaf (20) to move stably along the arced edge (101) of the stationary leaf (10).

A second embodiment of the directing assembly (60′) is L shaped in cross section, is formed on and protrudes from the guide edge of the moving leaf (20) corresponding to the arced edge (101) of the stationary leaf (10) and comprises an elongated notch (61′).

The elongated notch (61′) abuts the arced edge (101) of the stationary leaf (10) to allow the moving leaf (20) to move stably along the arced edge (101) of the stationary leaf (10).

With further reference to FIG. 6, the spring (30, 30′) keeps the guide pin assembly (50) at the default limit of the guide channel (12) and the pivot pin assembly (40) near the default limit of the slot (11).

With further reference to FIG. 7, when the moving leaf (20) is moved, the pivot pin assembly (40) and the guide pin assembly (50) respectively move along the slot (11) and guide channel (12) allowing the moving leaf (20) to slide. The directing assembly (60) also moves along the arced edge (101) of the stationary leaf (10) to support the moving leaf (20).

With further reference to FIG. 8, when the pivot pin assembly (40) is limited by the pivotal limit of the slot (11) and the moving leaf (20) keeps moving, the guide pin assembly (60) follows the arced end (121) of the guiding channel (12) supported by the arced edge (101) of the directing assembly (60). Therefore, the moving leaf (20) pivots on the pivot pin assembly (40) and relative to the stationary leaf (10) to turn the moving leaf (20).

Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only. Changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. 

1. A rotatable slide hinge comprising: a stationary leaf having a top and a bottom; a moving leaf mounted on the bottom of the stationary leaf, sliding and turning relative to the stationary leaf and having a top surface; a spring attached to the top of the stationary leaf and having a stationary end; and a moving end mounted with the stationary leaf and the moving leaf; a pivot pin assembly connecting the stationary leaf and the moving leaf and allowing the moving leaf to slide relative to the stationary leaf; and a guide pin assembly extending through the moving end of the spring, the stationary leaf and the moving leaf to connect the stationary leaf, the spring and the moving leaf and allowing the moving leaf to slide and turn relative to the stationary leaf.
 2. The rotatable slide hinge as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stationary leaf further has a slot formed through the stationary leaf, allowing the pivot pin assembly to mount through and having a default limit and a pivotal limit; and a guide channel formed through the stationary leaf, allowing the guide pin assembly to mount through and having an arced end; a default limit formed at the arced end; and a pivotal limit.
 3. The rotatable slide hinge as claimed in claim 2, wherein the moving leaf further comprises a pivot pin hole formed in the top surface of the moving leaf and corresponding to the slot of the stationary leaf; and a guide pin hole formed in the top surface of the moving leaf and corresponding to the guide channel of the stationary leaf; the pivot pin assembly further comprises a pivot pin extending through the slot of the stationary leaf and being mounted securely in the pivot pin hole of the moving leaf; and the guide pin assembly further comprises a guide pin extending through the moving end of the spring and the guide channel of the stationary leaf and being mounted securely in the guide pin hole of the moving leaf.
 4. The rotatable slide hinge as claimed in claim 3, wherein the pivot pin assembly further comprises a pivot pin washer mounted around the pivot pin and being between the stationary leaf and the moving leaf; and the guide pin assembly further comprises a guide pin washer mounted around the guide pin between the stationary and moving leaves and corresponding to the guide channel of the stationary leaf; and
 5. The rotatable slide hinge as claimed in claim 4, wherein the guide pin assembly further comprising a guide pin disc mounted between the moving end of the spring and the stationary leaf and corresponding to the guide channel of the stationary leaf to allow the guide pin assembly to move stably in the guide channel.
 6. The rotatable slide hinge as claimed in claim 5, wherein the slot of the stationary leaf further comprises a lip formed around and protruding into the slot to allow the pivot pin and the pivot pin washer to clamp; and the guide channel of the stationary leaf further comprises a lip formed around and protruding into the guide channel to allow the guide pin disc and the guide pin washer clamp.
 7. The rotatable slide hinge as claimed in claim 2 further comprising a directing assembly, wherein the stationary leaf further comprises an arced edge corresponding to the arced end of the guide channel in the stationary leaf; the moving leaf further comprises a directing pin hole; and the directing assembly comprises a directing washer mounted between the arced edge of the stationary leaf and the moving leaf; and a directing pin abutting the arced edge of the stationary leaf, extending through the directing washer and being mounted securely in the directing pin hole of the moving leaf.
 8. The rotatable slide hinge as claimed in claim 3 further comprising a directing assembly, wherein the stationary leaf further comprises an arced edge corresponding to the arced end of the guide channel in the stationary leaf; the moving leaf further comprises a directing pin hole; and the directing assembly comprises a directing washer mounted between the arced edge of the stationary leaf and the moving leaf, and a directing pin abutting the arced edge of the stationary leaf, extending through the directing washer and being mounted securely in the directing pin hole of the moving leaf.
 9. The rotatable slide hinge as claimed in claim 4 further comprising a directing assembly, wherein the stationary leaf further comprises an arced edge corresponding to the arced end of the guide channel in the stationary leaf; the moving leaf further comprises a directing pin hole; and the directing assembly comprises a directing washer mounted between the arced edge of the stationary leaf and the moving leaf; and a directing pin abutting the arced edge of the stationary leaf, extending through the directing washer and being mounted securely in the directing pin hole of the moving leaf.
 10. The rotatable slide hinge as claimed in claim 5 further comprising a directing assembly, wherein the stationary leaf further comprises an arced edge corresponding to the arced end of the guide channel in the stationary leaf; the moving leaf further comprises a directing pin hole; and the directing assembly comprises a directing washer mounted between the arced edge of the stationary leaf and the moving leaf, and a directing pin abutting the arced edge of the stationary leaf, extending through the directing washer and being mounted securely in the directing pin hole of the moving leaf.
 11. The rotatable slide hinge as claimed in claim 6 further comprising a directing assembly, wherein the stationary leaf further comprises an arced edge corresponding to the arced end of the guide channel in the stationary leaf, the moving leaf further comprises a directing pin hole; and the directing assembly comprises a directing washer mounted between the arced edge of the stationary leaf and the moving leaf; and a directing pin abutting the arced edge of the stationary leaf, extending through the directing washer and being mounted securely in the directing pin hole of the moving leaf.
 12. The rotatable slide hinge as claimed in claim 2 further comprising a directing assembly, wherein the stationary leaf further comprises an arced edge corresponding to the arced end of the guide channel in the stationary leaf; the moving leaf further comprises a guide edge corresponding to the arced end; and the directing assembly is L shaped in cross section, is formed on and protrudes from the guide edge of the moving leaf and comprises an elongated notch abutting the arced edge of the stationary leaf.
 13. The rotatable slide hinge as claimed in claim 3 further comprising a directing assembly, wherein the stationary leaf further comprises an arced edge corresponding to the arced end of the guide channel in the stationary leaf; the moving leaf further comprises a guide edge corresponding to the arced end; and the directing assembly is L shaped in cross section, is formed on and protrudes from the guide edge of the moving leaf and comprises an elongated notch abutting the arced edge of the stationary leaf.
 14. The rotatable slide hinge as claimed in claim 4 further comprising a directing assembly, wherein the stationary leaf further comprises an arced edge corresponding to the arced end of the guide channel in the stationary leaf; the moving leaf further comprises a guide edge corresponding to the arced end; and the directing assembly is L shaped in cross section, is formed on and protrudes from the guide edge of the moving leaf and comprises an elongated notch abutting the arced edge of the stationary leaf.
 15. The rotatable slide hinge as claimed in claim 5 further comprising a directing assembly, wherein the stationary leaf further comprises an arced edge corresponding to the arced end of the guide channel in the stationary leaf; the moving leaf further comprises a guide edge corresponding to the arced end; and the directing assembly is L shaped in cross section, is formed on and protrudes from the guide edge of the moving leaf and comprises an elongated notch abutting the arced edge of the stationary leaf.
 16. The rotatable slide hinge as claimed in claim 6 further comprising a directing assembly, wherein the stationary leaf further comprises an arced edge corresponding to the arced end of the guide channel in the stationary leaf; the moving leaf further comprises a guide edge corresponding to the arced end; and the directing assembly is L shaped in cross section, is formed on and protrudes from the guide edge of the moving leaf and comprises an elongated notch abutting the arced edge of the stationary leaf.
 17. The rotatable slide hinge as claimed in claim 11, wherein the spring is flat.
 18. The rotatable slide hinge as claimed in claim 16, wherein the spring is flat.
 19. The rotatable slide hinge as claimed in claim 11, wherein the stationary leaf further comprises a stationary spring hole; and the spring further comprises a fastener extending through the stationary end of the spring and being mounted securely in the stationary spring hole of the stationary leaf.
 20. The rotatable slide hinge as claimed in claim 16, wherein the stationary leaf further comprises a stationary spring hole; and the spring further comprises a fastener extending through the stationary end of the spring and being mounted securely in the stationary spring hole of the stationary leaf. 